Ways To Wear: Shorts With Tights

Did you catch my last “Ways To Wear” post? Well, it was a lot of fun, and I’m at it again, this time with ways to wear shorts with tights. This is one of my favorite outfit combos!

1. Keep It Simple

Let’s start with the outfit above. I took some cute pleated “mom shorts” tucked a crewneck tee into them. I kept it a little chic with some flats, which I think pair so well with the tights and high-waisted, retro shorts. Simple and easy to add accessories or layers to…

2. Play It Up

Here I played up the pleats with a vintage vest, that used to be my mom’s. The buttons on the vest also coordinate nicely with the mauve-y pink in the tee.

3. Add a Cardigan

Or you can throw a soft, drapey cardigan over, like I did here. More fall weather friendly, for sure. (PS. for more ways to style a cardigan, check out this post)

4. Play With Color and Proportions

Same shorts, This time paired with a long-sleeved tee, knee high socks, and some comfy ankle boots. Knee high socks are fun with tights and add an extra layer of warm. Match the color of the socks to the tee but in different shades for some cooler visual interest. You could easily throw a cardigan over this look as well for some extra warmth.



5. More Color Play and Texture

For this outfit I switched out the denim short for some yellow ones. With the sort of persimmon colored top, this creates a bright color blocking situation which the grey, textured cardigan helps to tone down. I doubled up on socks this time, with the kneelength pair featuring accents that compliment the persimmon top. I also flipped the cuffs up on the boots for a different look.

6. Florals and Layers

And here’s the same outfit but with a floral button up tunic over top. This also helps break up the color blocking, but in a different way.

7. Tuck In An Oversized Sweater

This may be one of my favorite outfits from this post. I love the look of these cut off, fringe-y shorts with the grey, textured tights underneath. I think they pair really well with the loose-fitting sweater tucked into the shorts’ high waist. I received the sweater from friends’ grandmother’s closet cleanout several years ago, and I have worn it often during fall and winter the last few years, but this is my first time wearing it tucked into shorts, and I like like the look.

8. Add and Change Up Accessories

Here are some variations on this outfit – 1. I’ve thrown on a plaid flannel for added warmth and interest. 2. I switched out the boots for tennis shoes. A very 80s/90s inspired look.



9. Add Some Headwear

And a last variation – a monochrome-ish look. Switching out the blue socks for some in a burgundy red that nearly matches the sweater, and a me-made headband in a similar shade that compliments. You could probably even take this up another notch by wearing tights in a similar shade of the same color as well.   

I hope these looks have given you some inspiration! I bought a few news pairs of shorts over this past spring/summer and this is a great way to keep wearing them into fall/winter. I actually just got back from a family vacation to Gatlinburg, where we had some snow and cooler temps. While there I wore some variations of a few of these outfits and they worked out great. Comfy, warm and easy to throw a winter coat over to take a walk and grab some hot caramel apple cider.